Step Forward Entrepreneurs Program
Get up to $10,000 back for innovative projects in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, or Muskoka. This grant covers 50% of your costs. You pay upfront and get paid back after the project is done and you submit your claim. You can apply anytime.
“The company is required to pay the contractors invoices, including any HST applicable, then submit a claim to IION for 50% reimbursement, up to the grant amount (no HST).”
From the official program page
Before you spend any money
Approval must come BEFORE you spend or start; money spent early usually does not count, except for specific tradeshow costs.
At a glance
Subject to program rules, available funding, and approval. Confirm current details with the official program administrator.
Is this for you?
- You run a for-profit business in Nipissing, Timiskaming, Parry Sound, or Muskoka.
- You have created or significantly improved a product, process, or proprietary service platform.
- You can cover 100% of project costs upfront and wait for reimbursement after completion.
Probably not the right fit if
- You operate a restaurant, retailer, wholesaler, distributor, or seasonal business.
- You are still at the idea stage without a minimum viable product or proven progress.
- You need funds for ongoing operational costs like wages, rent, or inventory.
How much you'd realistically get
For example, a Google-reviews and customer-loyalty setup:
Project cost
$10,000
Program pays
$5,000
You pay
$5,000
Illustration using this program's published rate and cap; amounts and eligibility are decided by the program.
You receive 50% of eligible costs back, up to $10,000 per project. You can use the program twice (up to $20,000 in total), but you must spend at least $5,000 to get the $2,500 minimum grant.
What may be supported
- Market Growth & Expansion: Tradeshow attendance, branding design, market research, sales plans.
- Product Development: Prototyping equipment/software, product certifications, engineering/design, trial testing.
- Productivity Enhancements: Core business equipment/software, IP research/protection, export development, lean manufacturing studies.
What's excluded or restricted
- Companies operating as restaurants, wholesalers, distributors or re-sellers
- Not-for-profits and municipalities
- Hobby and part-time businesses
- Businesses at the idea stage
- Companies registered outside of IION's catchment area
- On-going operational costs including staff wages, rolling stock or any other internal costs associated with the project
- Per diems (food and beverage costs when travelling) and giveaways, such as business cards, pens, notebooks, branded merchandise, or company-branded clothing
- Tradeshow & travel costs when participating in Northern Ontario Pavilions funded by FedNor (Royal Winter Fair, PDAC, CIM)
- Any projects involving Artificial Intelligence
How applying works
Effort: moderateYou must contact the program lead for a pre-screening, submit a draft for review, get final approval, execute the project within 6 months, and then submit a detailed reimbursement claim with invoices and proof of payment.
- 01Contact Emily Ryan (emily@iion.ca) to determine eligibility and discuss your proposed project.
- 02If eligible, complete the application with all required quotes and submit the draft to Emily via Jotform.
- 03Review Emily's comments on completeness and submit the final application via Jotform before the last business day of the month.
- 04Wait for the external selection committee to review your application the following month.
- 05If approved, register as an IION client and complete the project within 6 months (or by March 2027).
- 06Pay all invoices, then submit a claim to IION for 50% reimbursement with final invoices and proof of payment.
Who to ask: Emily Ryan (Program Lead): emily@iion.ca; IION Phone: (705) 845-0616; Office: 60 Commerce Crescent, North Bay, Ontario, P1A 0B4
Documents commonly required
- Detailed quotes for all proposed project costs.
- Final invoices from contractors or vendors.
- Proof of payment (receipts or bank statements) for all reimbursable costs.
- Completed SFEP survey and annual survey (post-project).
What to know before you count on it
- You pay the full cost first. IION reimburses 50% via EFT only after you complete the project, submit final invoices, and provide proof of payment.
- The grant portion is generally taxable income; ask your accountant how this affects your net profit.
- Applications are reviewed monthly by an external committee. If the budget is committed, you may have to wait for the next round.
- Strict exclusions apply: no AI projects (use Ignite AI instead), no giveaways, no food and drink costs while travelling, and no costs incurred before you apply (except tradeshow costs).
What are your odds?
An outside committee reviews applications each month, and your final application must be in before the last business day of the month. Send every quote with it, and do not spend before you are approved, except on tradeshow costs.
Frequently asked questions
Can I use this for my restaurant's new menu or marketing?
No. Restaurants, wholesalers, distributors, and re-sellers are explicitly excluded from this program.
Do I get the money before I start the project?
No. You must pay the full cost first. IION reimburses 50% after you complete the project and submit your claim.
What if I already spent money on the project?
Costs incurred prior to application submission are not eligible, with the exception of tradeshow costs.
Is the grant money taxable?
The reimbursed grant portion is generally taxable income. You should ask your accountant for advice on your specific situation.
More funding by what it pays for
What you can combine it with
You can apply twice, for separate projects. AI costs are not covered here; they go through Ignite AI instead.
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Worth reading before you apply
Get alerted when this changes
Programs open and close, budgets run out, rules change. We send one short email when something changes that matters for this program.
Page last updated ; status and deadline checked . Source: official program page.